The MMDA recently made a Facebook post on coding systems they could possibly implement in 2022. This comes after traffic begins to return to its usual gridlocked state under Alert Level 1. These are nowhere near final but the department has gone to social media to gather the people’s thoughts on these. We’ll summarize it all for you.
Currently, the system in place allots 2 ending plate digits per day of the work week. So that’s 1-2 for Monday, 3-4 for Tuesday, so on and so forth. According to the MMDA, this only reduces around 20% of the regular traffic flow, which may make it an ineffective MMDA coding system in 2022.
The first of 2 new suggestions covers the same time from 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM. The MMDA has rated its estimated effectiveness at 40%. However, the number of coding days per vehicle is now moved from 1 day a week to 2. This is how it works according to this system:
- 1,2: Monday, Wednesday
- 3.4: Monday, Thursday
- 5,6: Tuesday, Thursday
- 7,8: Tuesday, Friday
- 9,0: Wednesday, Friday
The second suggestion is a bit extreme at an estimated 50% reduction. Here’s how it goes:
- 1,3,5,7,9: Monday and Thursday
- 2,4,6,8,0: Tuesday and Friday
- No coding day: Wednesday
These are two approaches that look at the problem in a different way. The first increases coding days per car, while the second covers more cars per day. The looming issue with the second is that for people unlucky enough to have their spare car within the same group, there is no other choice on these days. That’s a hefty 2 days a week which is also the case with the first.
Reactions over the Facebook comments are mixed. There are a few that applaud this effort, but this is overshadowed by others who say they prefer the current system. A handful of people say that the rich will simply buy their way out of these issues anyways. Other comments restate a necessary improvement of the public transportation system, further promotion of the Work-From-Home arrangement via governmental policies, and others.
The government has made sure to show its efforts in restructuring the public perception of our transportation in the country. It’s a fact though that more work needs to be done in order to have the people, specifically within the middle and upper classes, to perceive commuting as a viable and safe way of moving around the metro. Throw in stricter implementation of laws regarding road parking, especially along smaller streets that many use to traverse our cities. This would greatly improve the traffic situation.
What’s your take on these MMDA coding system proposals for 2022? Should we give it a try? Let us know!